Revolution, transformation, and emergence: The transmutation of emerging technologies in the Chinese context

IF 10.1 1区社会学 Q1 SOCIAL ISSUES

Technology in Society Pub Date : 2025-07-22 DOI:10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103022

Bowen Song , Danni Liang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Emerging technology represents the future trajectory of scientific and technological innovation. Integrating existing theoretical perspectives with practical needs to advance such innovation remains a pressing yet unresolved issue in China. Drawing on results from a systematic content analysis, this paper develops a thematic framework of emerging technologies, outlining seven typical dimensions: novelty, uncertainty, widespread influence, rapid development, convergence, theoretical foundation, and territoriality, each embodying self-evolution and application effects. We further extend the discussion on the evolution of emerging technologies by constructing links between their typical attributes, developmental dimensions, and innovative concepts. Our findings reveal that the dimensions of emerging technologies vary across different development contexts and exhibit distinct stage-specific characteristics. Indeed, this thematic framework highlights the core concerns of innovation management research in China, and illustrates how innovation concepts evolve alongside environmental upgrading, transformation, and emergence. This study offers theoretical insights and practical guidance for advancing the national science and technology innovation system.

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革命、转型与涌现：新兴技术在中国语境下的嬗变

新兴技术代表着未来科技创新的轨迹。如何将已有的理论观点与实践需求相结合，推进创新，在中国仍是一个亟待解决的问题。在系统内容分析的基础上，本文构建了新兴技术的主题框架，提出了新颖性、不确定性、广泛影响、快速发展、收敛性、理论基础和属地性七个典型维度，每个维度都体现了新兴技术的自我进化和应用效果。我们通过构建新兴技术的典型属性、发展维度和创新概念之间的联系，进一步扩展了对新兴技术演进的讨论。我们的研究结果表明，新兴技术的维度在不同的发展背景下有所不同，并表现出不同的阶段特征。事实上，这一主题框架突出了中国创新管理研究的核心问题，并说明了创新概念如何随着环境升级、转型和新兴而演变。本研究为推进国家科技创新体系建设提供了理论见解和实践指导。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Technology in Society Multiple-

CiteScore

17.90

自引率

14.10%

发文量

316

审稿时长

60 days

期刊介绍： Technology in Society is a global journal dedicated to fostering discourse at the crossroads of technological change and the social, economic, business, and philosophical transformation of our world. The journal aims to provide scholarly contributions that empower decision-makers to thoughtfully and intentionally navigate the decisions shaping this dynamic landscape. A common thread across these fields is the role of technology in society, influencing economic, political, and cultural dynamics. Scholarly work in Technology in Society delves into the social forces shaping technological decisions and the societal choices regarding technology use. This encompasses scholarly and theoretical approaches (history and philosophy of science and technology, technology forecasting, economic growth, and policy, ethics), applied approaches (business innovation, technology management, legal and engineering), and developmental perspectives (technology transfer, technology assessment, and economic development). Detailed information about the journal's aims and scope on specific topics can be found in Technology in Society Briefings, accessible via our Special Issues and Article Collections.